The estimated resident population of NSW at December 2001 was 6,642,900 persons, an increase of 74,000 persons since December 2000. This corresponds to an annual growth rate of 1.1%, which was slightly lower than the national growth rate of 1.3%. The increase in the population of NSW comprised a natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) of 38,700 persons, a net overseas migration gain of 44,750 persons and a net interstate migration loss of 19,000 persons. The Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) of Sydney - Inner (33.5%) and Newcastle - Inner (7.0%) experienced the highest growth in population during the year, while the SLAs of Bombala (-2.7%) and Urana (-2.1%) experienced the greatest negative growth in population.

BIRTHS

There were 84,578 live births recorded in NSW in 2001, representing a crude birth rate of 12.8 births per 1,000 population. Exnuptial births contributed 28% of all registered births in 2001. Most exnuptial births were to women aged 20-24 years while most nuptial births were to women aged 30-34 years.

The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) for NSW in 2001 was 1.76 births per woman, compared to 1.73 for Australia. The ACT had the lowest TFR (1.51) while the NT had the highest (2.26). The NSW average TFR for 1999-2001 was 1.79. Over that period the SLAs with the highest average TFR were Severn (3.19) and Dubbo - Pt B (3.03), while Sydney - Inner (0.68) and Sydney - Remainder (0.69) had the lowest TFRs.

Age-specific fertility rates have shifted over time as women delay their child-bearing. In 2001, the rate of child-bearing was highest among women aged 30-34 years (108 births per 1,000 women), followed closely by women aged 25-29 years (106 births per 1,000 women).

DEATHS

In 2001, there were 44,552 deaths registered in NSW, which corresponds to a crude death rate of 6.7 deaths per 1,000 population. The average indirect standardised death rate (ISDR) for NSW for the period 1999-2001 was 5.7 deaths per 1,000 population. Central Darling (9.4) and Brewarrina (9.0) SLAs had the highest average ISDRs, while Sydney - Remainder (3.1) and Copmanhurst (3.7) had the lowest. The leading causes of death in 2001 were Malignant neoplasms (cancer), Ischaemic heart disease and Cerebrovascular diseases.

There were 449 infant deaths in 2001, an increase of two deaths on the previous year. Over two-fifths (41%) of infant deaths occurred within the first day of life, with nearly three-quarters (73%) occurring within the first 28 days.

OVERSEAS MIGRATION

In 2001, net overseas migration to NSW was 44,750 persons, which was the highest of all states and territories in Australia

INTERSTATE MIGRATION

In 2001, the net interstate migration loss from NSW was 19,032 persons. The only states and territories to experience gains from interstate migration were Qld, Vic. and the ACT.

MARRIAGES

NSW recorded 36,109 marriages in 2001, a decrease of 3,214 marriages on the previous year. The median age of brides and grooms rose in 2001 to 28.3 years and 30.3 years respectively. Between 1991 and 2001, age-specific marriage rates decreased for brides aged 25 years and under and brides aged 45 years and over. Over the same period, age-specific marriage rates also decreased for grooms aged 29 years and under grooms aged and 45 years and under.

Of all NSW marriages, 59% were between partners who were both born in Australia, 23% were between partners one of whom was overseas-born and 18% were between partners who were both born overseas.

DIVORCES

There were 16,057 divorces granted in NSW in 2001, an increase of 1,301 divorces since 2000. The crude divorce rate was 2.4 divorces per 1,000 population in 2000. Age-specific divorce rates were highest among wives aged 30-34 years (12.8 divorces per 1,000 women) and husbands aged 35-39 years (11.8 divorces per 1,000 men). Nearly half (46%) of all divorces in NSW involved at least one child aged under eighteen years. In 2001, the median age of the youngest child involved in divorce was 7.8 years.

In 2001, 54% of divorces involved couples where both partners were born in Australia, while 25% involved couples where both partners were born in an overseas country.

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